Hey. Here's another update. I know it's been a while, but ... well, to be honest I didn't really want to keep on writing this, since no one seems to want to read it... I mean, I'm rather insecure about my own writing abilities, especially since it's in English, and therefore I'd really like to get some feedback on things. Is it too much to ask for a review? You don't have to write an entire essay or anything, it just makes me really happy to know that you actually read my story. And besides making me happy, it also keeps me motivated. I mean, who wants to write someting no one wants to read? Certainly not me!

So for a few weeks I stopped writing this fanfic, wallowing in selfpity, unable to find the motivation to keep on writing, BUT then something happend! The other day, when I checked my email, I was SOOO happy to see that someone actually reviewed chapter 4 of Solar Eclipse :D It made me soooo HAPPY-HAPPY __ It was the wonderful looneybaloony who was kind enough to take an interest in my silly, little fanfic... And I am serious when I say that I danced through the streets that day! I felt like I could fly! Amazing, Amazing, Amazing ;D So, because of this review I decided to write another chapter... Thank you so much ;D

Now, about the chapter: This is yet another chapter about what is going on in Forks, while Bella is in Volterra. There's A LOT of information in this chapter, and even though this is by far the longest chapter I have written yet, I am afraid the amount of information is too overwhelming... please, tell me what you think ;)

About all the spelling mistakes I'm sure I've missed... PLEASE don't think poorly of me. I really do try. I try to re-read the chapters after I've written them, but it's just SO difficult to find all the mistakes... Sorry!

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn (c) Stephenie Meyer

Solar Eclipse - Chapter 5

EdwardPOV

"Edward?" A quiet voice asked. I didn't answer. It didn't even occur to me that I ought to. I was far too lost in my own solitude and the guilt which burned through my body to even consider answering.

Bella was gone and it was my fault. She had been taken away from me and I didn't know how to find her. There were no clues, no trail. First there had been a trail. I had followed her sent all the way to our meadow, but then it just stopped. Stopped? How was that even possible? I had asked myself that same question for the last two hours, but I had yet to come closer to the answer. I didn't get it. A trail wasn't supposed to disappear that way. It was against the laws of physics and simply impossible!

I mentally shook my head, and replayed the last two hours in my head, the two hours which had past since Bella's disappearance:

When I had seen Bella in the hands of that vampire all rational thoughts had left my mind entirely. I had run with all my might for the house, hoping, begging, that I would make it in time to get her away from him. I had run through the remainder of the window, not caring about the shredding sound of my clothes as the textiles came in contact with the broken glass. I had entered the room in time to see Bella, unconscious, in the arms of the stranger, before he had exited the room in full speed. Naturally, I had followed. I had run, faster than ever before, but my usual advantage seemed to be of little use. He had run faster. And then suddenly they had both disappeared. It was unexplainable and frustrating. I had searched the woods for a trail, a clue which could lead me to Bella, but it had all been in vain. Unaware of the time passing I had spent two hours searching and I would without a doubt still be out there, if Emmett hadn't dragged me back to the house. He'd said that I wouldn't find her by searching the woods, and even though I had no idea what else to do, I had agreed to follow him back. Without a trail of her scent the woods wouldn't let me find her. I had to figure out another way to find her. But how?

I was so lost in my thoughts I almost missed the voice's second attempt to get through to me. When I didn't answer, the voice repeated its question and I felt two small hands grip my upper arms and shake me lightly.

I didn't care about the voice. The only thing I wanted to think about was my Bella. My precious Bella. Where had that monster taken her to?

I had to find her- but how? Without a trail how was I to do that? I had no idea about who had taken her either. Why had she been taken and whereto? I didn't know.

It was hopeless. I was hopeless. I was a completely useless moron.

"Edward?" This time the voice was sterner. I turned my head slightly downwards and was met by a pair of pitch-black eyes.

Alice.

She had moved from her place at the window, without me even noticing, and now she stood in front of me with a determined look on her face. He tiny hands held onto my arms with such a strength it would have bruised had I been human. She shook me one more time to get my full attention before she said the altering words:

"We're going to find her!"

All I could do was stare into those black eyes, watch the determination and willpower of her gaze. She looked so sure about herself, so certain that what she said was the truth - and that was when it hit me:

"You saw it happen, didn't you? You saw us finding her. Tell me what you saw Alice! I need to know!" Suddenly I was the one who held on to her upper arms, shaking her impatiently. She looked surprised, obviously shaken by my sudden outburst, but I didn't care. If she knew something about Bella's whereabouts I had to know!

When she didn't answer immediately I started getting annoyed. Why wouldn't she tell me? I had to know! I started shaking her more feverishly, until I felt two strong arms around my chest, retraining me in an unbreakable grip.

I looked at Alice who was now protectively wrapped in Jasper's arms, an angry growl erupting from his chest. The sound of it broke my trance and I realized were I was. And what I had done. I felt my chest heave as I took a deep breath to steady myself. I closed my eyes, and after a moment which seemed to last forever, I felt the tension of my shoulders loosen. I hadn't even realized how tense I was until then.

"You can let go now Emmett. I'm under control" The pressure on my chest disappeared instantly and I saw him move to stand next to Jasper and Alice. My gaze stayed on the pixie-sized girl, whom I had called sister for decades and I felt a sudden pang of guilt. Alice wasn't at fault in this whole mess and letting my own distress out on her was not only childish, but also completely unreasonable.

"I'm sorry" I whispered in a voice I didn't even recognize as my own. It sounded so hollow. So empty.

Not listening to Jasper's protests, Alice slipped out of his grip and threw her arms around me. I instinctively took a step back and looked at her with what I'm sure was a surprised expression.

Almost immediately she let go of me, only to step back and punch me in the chest with her little fist. My eyes grew even wider at that. A smile played around her lips, probably amused by my expression, as she took a step backwards.

"Now we're even, okay? Don't worry about it. We've got more pressing matters to attend to" She went back to Jasper's side and took his hand in her own. She looked up at him before her gaze returned to mine: "We're all going to help you find Bella…. right guys?" she added, while turning her head in every possible direction. I followed her gaze and realized the room was far from empty.

Carlisle and Esme were the first ones to meet my gaze. They both smiled sad smiles, but encouraging, and their eyes showed the support and trust they had always granted me. My eyes met the compassionate eyes of the other vampires present and I realized I had been going at the problem the wrong way. Bella's safety was my responsibility, and I had failed. But that didn't mean I was the only one who wanted her back. There were others to help search for her.

As if reading my mind Alice spoke again: "We love her too, you know?"

I might be an incompetent useless moron, but I wasn't alone. My family had stood by me for a century and they would do it again. How could I have forgotten that? A smile started showing on my lips, but it disappeared immediately.

Bella was gone and here I stood, wasting precious time by feeling sorry for myself. Alice was right. There had to be something we could do. Some way or other we were going to find her.

We had to!

AlicePOV

As I saw the glimpse of hope in his eyes I knew all wasn't lost. Apparently I wasn't the only one to think so 'cause everybody started moving at once. The horribly stifling feeling diminished and everybody went back to their previous activities. Together, Esme and I finished blocking the window in no time, and we went to join the group which had gathered in the dining room.

Sitting around the great table, we never used for its original purpose, were seven vampires. At the end farthest away from the door was Carlisle at his usual seat. Next to him, at his left, sat Tanya, followed by Rosalie and Emmett. Right across from Carlisle, at the other end of the table, was Jasper placed. Next to him was Carmen who sat right beside her husband Eleazar.

Carlisle gestured for us to come closer as soon as we entered the room. Esme went for the unoccupied seat at his right and I went to stand behind my husband. I put both my hands on his shoulders and let out a content sigh as his right hand came to rest on mine. I reached out to stroke his cheek, but stopped midway when a voice broke the silence which had erupted when Esme and I entered the room:

"Alice, I need to know what you saw"

I looked up and met Edward's gaze. He stood at the window in the far end of the room, behind Carlisle and Esme. I hadn't noticed him at first, but now his presence seemed to fill the room. His tension was obvious and his eyes were focused on me.

I decided I might as well just tell him the truth.

"I didn't see anything Edward. I'm sorry"

EdwardPOV

"I didn't see anything Edward. I'm sorry" I heard the words, but I couldn't seem to understand them.

"What do you mean you didn't see anything?" I asked in a harsh voice. I narrowed the space between us by walking closer to the table. I could feel the frown on my face, but I didn't care to change it.

Alice stood behind Jasper with her hands on his shoulders. I stared at her intently, and I heard Jasper's warning in my head as if he had said it out loud.

Edward. Don't.

Two little words, yet very affective. I gave him a silent nod before I returned my attention to Alice. She looked so small as she stood there. Small and… Guilty? She took a deep breath and cast down her eyes before she answered:

"I don't know what happened, Edward. I can't see anymore. I didn't see them come, or that thing take Bella. I'm so sorry, Edward. It's all my fault. I should have seen it, but I didn't. I'm so sorry… " She continued apologizing, but I stopped her with a gesture of my hand.

"It's not your fault, Alice. If it's anyone's fault it's mine, but lets not discus that right now." I let out a breath before I continued: "Your visions … When did they stop?" She frowned, but answered instantly:

"I don't know the exact time. I didn't pay much attention to the future all day… I thought I knew what the future held" she sent me an apologetic glance "but I should have looked more closely. I'm so sorry Edward"

I went to lean on the back rest of Esme's chair. "What was the last thing you saw?" A grim suspicion had started in my head.

"Well, I tried to see during the chaos on the terrace, but I couldn't see anything at all, until… Until I saw a glimpse of a vision…" A confused expression crossed her face "I saw a stranger drag Bella along. I recognized the room in the vision as the living room, so I looked up and there he was. I called for you and … well, you know the rest"

She looked as if she were going to cry. I frowned slightly while turning my suspicion in my head. Was it possible? I couldn't find any other answer. Before I could get too deep into thought, Carlisle's voice interrupted the silence:

"Alice dear, your visions have disappeared before, right? The wolves have that affect on your 'sight' so it must have been because of Seth's presence." I saw Alice shake her head feverishly before she answered:

"I don't think so…" she said hastily "I thought about it myself, but it just doesn't seem to be the right answer. Whenever the wolves have interrupted my visions, only fragments have disappeared. This time it's all of it. Apart from the glimpse of a vision earlier I see nothing at all. It's just … gone" She absentmindedly stroked Jasper's hair, a heartbroken expression on her face.

Carlisle was just about to say something, when I interrupted: "I'm sure your right Alice. I think one of the strangers had an ability which could block your 'vision' …" I saw the others look questioningly at me, but only fragments of their thoughts reached my ears, which only made my suspicion more pronounced.

"… and my 'hearing'" I said in a sad voice. I heard a few gasps, and suddenly every pair of eyes turned to Carlisle, questioningly. He turned slightly in his seat to look at me.

"During the chaos, which Alice mentioned, I was likewise unable to hear the thoughts of others. I tried really hard, but I couldn't and it just… just made me more panicky. I rely so much on my 'hearing' and then suddenly it was gone and… and Bella, as well." I felt the hollowness of my chest at the mention of her name "It was so confusing."

I turned away from Carlisle's searching gaze before I continued: "But I think your visions will return, Alice. I'm able to hear some thoughts by now, so your ability ought to return as well" I finished. I went back to the window, but didn't really see the outside. I was completely focused on the minds of those present.

.. is it..

He might be…

…Bella…

It didn't make much sense, but it was progress. I had to believe it would return eventually. A sudden thought hit me and I turned abruptly to look at Eleazar: "Did you sense the abilities of the stranger? That is your power isn't it?" I turned my head to look at Jasper and continued in the same beat: "…. Did your ability to calm disappear as well?" Before I finished I felt a wave of calm hit me, and I automatically relaxed.

"No" Jasper answered unnecessarily. I thought about that for a minute, before I returned my attention to Eleazar. I caught him exchanging a glance with Carlisle before he answered: "I wasn't aware of the presence of the one in the house. I was focused on the battle outside." He looked at Carmen with a protective glimpse in his eyes, and it was obvious he had been concentrating on keeping his mate safe.

He looked back at me as I went to stand at the opposite site of the table, across from him. "… but as I already told Carlisle earlier, one of the three strangers outside had an ability."

That caught my attention. I leaned against the table between Rosalie and Tanya, and listened attentively to the other vampire.

"I believe the young male outside was able to erase the memories of others." He looked at me for a short moment, before he added: "What happened earlier only emphasize my theory"

I frowned at that, getting slightly more annoyed by the minute. I had no idea about what had happened earlier, since I hadn't been around earlier, and since I could no longer read the minds of others (not sufficiently enough, anyways) I had no way to find out about it unless they told me. I was just about to state my discontent, when Carlisle interrupted:

"Maybe we should take this from the beginning"

CarlislePOV

I didn't recall Edward ever being this quick-tempered before. One moment he was still and thoughtful the next he was either yelling or snarling at someone. It was deeply disturbing to watch. This wasn't the Edward I had called my son for a century now. This was a desperate man. His purpose in life had been stolen from him, and my heart ached for him. Bella was so important to him. With her gone, he was nothing but a shadow of the person he could be, and it frighten me. Terrified me.

"Maybe we should take this from the beginning" Seeing Edward's expression change into an annoyed scowl, I spoke the words just to keep him from lunging out at Eleazar who had been nothing but helpful during the last couple of hours. But as I heard the words spoken out loudly I knew that was what we ought to do. Everyone needed to be up-to-date on everything which had happened since Bella's abduction. If not, then how were we supposed to work together on finding her?

Everyone seemed to agree, so I cleared my throat and began to talk:

"Okay, seeing as we all have had different assignments during the past hours it is probably best to get an update on things before we discuss what to do any further."

"As some of you know an ambulance came to pick up Renée and I followed her to the hospital" I met Esme's gaze before I continued: "It is too early to say anything, but I am afraid of the outcome of things. Her injuries are very severe. We will have to wait and see" I felt an overwhelming sadness in my chest by the mention of Bella's mother, but I shook it off and continued:

"As for the other humans, no one got hurt, which is –of course- good, but odd" I pondered the word for a second, not at all certain if that was in fact the word to describe the strange sensation which was now at hand. "I wonder how that can be possible. Jasper?" I looked at my third son and was met by a pair of thoughtful eyes.

"Well, I do have a theory on that." Jasper leaned closer and looked at everybody in turn, "We all know how … difficult it can be to control ourselves when then smell of human blood erupts." I saw him shudder at the thought, and a pang of compassion filled my being. "And since no human blood was spilled we can conclude that these strangers needed to be in control.

During the fight on the terrace I felt something was off. At first I couldn't quite comprehend what it was, until Bella's mother went through the glass window. Until then no human blood was spilled, and while being in complete control, the strangers played us. I see now that the game of tag on the terrace, was merely a decoy to take our attention away from the house" His eyes met Edward's "So they could get to Bella without our noticing"

I waited for Edward to make an outburst, but apart from the sudden markings of his fingers in the tabletop, no reaction came. I noticed that the others looked at Edward as well, but seemingly satisfied by his lack of reaction, Jasper continued:

"The moment the smell of blood erupted, the intruders made a run for the forest and this only emphasize my theory."

"So what you say is, that you believe all of this happened because someone wanted Bella?" Rosalie said, with a hint of doubt in her voice. I could understand that to a certain degree. Even though Rosalie's aversion to Bella made her a bit biased, I myself found it hard to believe that anyone would go to such extremes to get to Bella. Bella was a human, and protected by an entire clan of vampires at that. Why would anyone do that?

The image of a blond, male tracker formed in my head, and I suddenly didn't know what to think.

A curt 'yes' was the only answer she got. The room was silent for a moment, everybody engaged in their own thoughts. When the quiet became too much, I decided to intervene:

"Okay, as I already mentioned I was at the hospital" I turned in my seat and nodded my head at Emmet "You where in the forest with Edward and so were you, Rosalie" I turned to look at her as well. "This leads to another important subject which we have to discuss: The public story of the resent events. A lot of humans were present at the wedding and we all need to be in on the story."

I met Eleazar's gaze and he started without me even having to ask him: "The ability of the young male, which I mentioned earlier was mind-erasing. As far as I could detect he was able to erase the memories of the humans present, which of course is to our advantage. Why he did so, I don't know. Leaving the humans with their memories intact would have created a severe chaos to their benefit.. or so I would think… I don't know. Anyways, with the humans free of their memories we where able to create a story…" He looked at me questioningly, and I continued:

"Yes, none of the humans remembered the wedding, so we told people that the wedding was off, and convinced them to go home" Once again I looked at Rosalie: "We told everyone that Bella's bridal veil hadn't been delivered on time, so you and she went to Seattle to get it. In the midst of the chaos which had erupted in the Cullen-house Renée had tripped and fallen through the window, which ultimately resulted in the cancelation of the wedding. All the humans seemed to believe the story, although Charlie seemed rather suspicious…. It seems that the mind-erasing didn't work on him entirely" I pondered that for the shortest of time, but was erupted by Eleazar:

"Yes, Bella seems to have inherited her father's rather cryptic mind" I sent him a questioning glance, and he explained: "Well, before we came here I was told that Edward's mindreading didn't work on his Bella. And I was convinced thereof when I couldn't sense anything coming from her either. She was completely blocking me out of her mind, and although he wasn't quite as good at it her father seemed to be able to do the same thing." I was just about to say something when Edward interrupted:

"I have never been able to read all of Charlie's thought. Only fragments now and then, so it is obvious that there is some genetic aspect on thing." I looked at my son in surprise, never having heard any of such things. I felt disappointed for the shortest amount of time, before I realized the problems this could cause: "We need to find out what to do about Charlie, while we search for Bella. He can't know about us. Maybe someone ought to keep an eye on him?"

The others nodded around the table, and I heard Esme mumble a silent "I agree". She got up from her chair and motioned for Alice to follow her. "Alice and I were the ones who talked with the humans, convincing everybody to go home. Since this is the case I think it is best we go talk to Charlie, besides" she looked at Alice who had gone to her side "Charlie adores Alice and will most likely feel comforted by her presence." Before heading for the door, Esme looked at me questioningly and I gave her a silent nod, agreeing that to be the best solution. "Remember your phones and we'll keep you up to date". She gave me a quick peck on the lips before both she and Alice raced through the door.

"Now, to the most pressing of matters. We need to find Bella and fast at that. We don't know who kidnapped her, but we do have some clues. First there were four of them, second..." I was suddenly interrupted by a furious growl. I looked at Edward, surprised by the outburst, and shocked by the frustration emanating from his eyes.

"ARO!" was the only word he said, before he started pacing back and forth in the crowded room. I frowned at him, and silently asked for an explanation. "Edward?"

"He took her. God, I'm so blind! Why didn't I think of it before? Think about it …" He turned to me with a speed that astonished even my vampire sight "… Aro has wanted her ever since he met her in Volterra. I heard his thoughts. He was intrigued by the mystery of her silent mind, and he wanted her for himself…" A low growl sounded from his chest, while the words came fast from his lips. He spoke so fast I almost didn't catch it when he said he was going to Italy. He started for the door, but the combined force of the remaining Cullens and Denalis held him back.

"Don't be rash, son" I spoke curtly while keeping him in check by his shoulders "You don't know if the Volturi is behind this, and throwing out accusations at them, without any proof at that, is nothing but suicide. We need to think this trough, before we act"

"We've already used too much time discussing. Bella's out there and I need to find her. She might be hurt, wounded… I…"

Jasper put himself in front of Edward, while sending calming waves at him, trying to make him relax "Edward we need to be rational. I can understand your despair. If it had been Alice, I don't know…" Jasper took a moment to calm himself, before he continued: "Since this was a setup to get Bella, there is still hope. They wouldn't go through so much trouble if they just intended to ki.. I mean, they would keep her alive." I could feel Edward's shoulders tense, and without a warning he broke through our hold:

"Even if that is true, which we don't know, accidents happen. And I can't just sit back and let this happen" I put myself between him and the door, using myself as a barrier. "Edward, you will not go to Italy." I almost yelled at him "That's an order. I will not let them kill you. Think, Edward! What about Bella? What if the Volturi isn't the culprit and you get yourself killed… Then what about her? What about Bella?"

I saw how my words made wonders, convincing Edward to think instead of act. He went back to the window, looking but not seeing the outskirts of the forest. I watched him for a moment, and then took my seat at the table once again.

"We need to think this through logically. There has to be an explanation. I simply can't believe Aro would go to such extremes. Why would he kidnap Bella?"

So - What did you think? Too long? Too short? Too much information? Too annoying with all the differet POVs?

Next chapter is going to be in BPOV. It's going to continue from where chapter 3 ended. As I started out, I actually intended to write the entire fanfic in BPOV, but as you can see that didn't happen. This chapter and the last was written because I felt you needed to know what goes on in Forks, while Bella is in Italy. I wanted you to know how everyone reacts to Bella's abduction, and that they are in fact figuring out how to save her...

Hope you enjoyed the reading ;D Thanks so much for reading my silly, little fanfic :D PLEASE REVIEW!!! ;D